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2025 Future Games: Alabama Quick Hits, Outfielders

August 1, 2025
Prep Baseball Alabama Staff

EMERSON, GA – The 2025 Prep Baseball Future Games were held July 22-27 at the premier LakePoint Sports Complex, attracting over 400 college coaches from around the country to scout the nation’s top uncommitted talent in the 2026-2029 classes.

Prospects from Alabama rose to the occasion, putting together an impressive performance during both the workout showcase and three days of high-level competition.

In this piece, we take a closer look at some of the top performances from Alabama outfielders who stood out against the elite-level competition. Continue to check back over the course of the next few days, as we dive into each position and their respective Alabama standouts from the event.

Future Games: Class of 2027

+ OF/SS Austin Kightlinger (Northside, 2027) just continues to hit — and hit against high-level competition across Alabama. That trend stayed true this past weekend with Team Alabama, as the left-handed hitter once again showed off one of the top hit profiles in the state’s 2027 class. An athletic 5-foot-11, 162-pounder with compact strength, Kightlinger brings value defensively as a versatile utility player capable of handling both the infield and outfield. Still, it’s the left-handed bat that sets him apart and continues to elevate his prospect status. With excellent balance and a mature, all-fields approach, the rising junior consistently puts together quality at-bats, working multiple walks and finding the barrel in several other trips. Also a multi-sport athlete and strike-thrower on the mound with a fastball up to 89 mph. One of the under-the-radar winners for Team Alabama this week.

+ OF Charlie Maniscalco (Oxford, 2027) showed off the patented smooth left-handed swing facing some high-caliber arms this weekend and had a couple hits to show for in a strong showing for Team Alabama. A 5-foot-11, 174-pounder, Maniscalco has a solid collection of tools scattered in the profile that should attract college recruiters. Hits from a relaxed, upright stance from the left side and works the barrel on a smooth, clean path through contact. Mostly pull-side gap approach showing with flashes of power, highlighted by a 98.2 mph EV double off the RF wall in his final at-bat of the week. Well-rounded athlete clocking a 6.73 60-yard dash during the workout, and translates well in the grass defensively. 

+ While the results weren't loud in terms of output in the box score for OF Austin Barnett (Thompson, 2027) this week, the smooth-swing left-hander impressed during the workout and has built a proven track record at the highest classification in Alabama this past spring. Listed at 6-foot-1, 189-pounds, Barnett may possess one of our staff's favorite swings in the class. Showing quality separation in the load, the barrel works with fluidity through the zone on a clean path. It's a low-pulse, relaxed operation with natural lift in the swing path, and while the hit tool is carrying right now, he should continue to tap into more power and impact ability in the future. A corner outfielder, Barnett has a quality feel for the barrel and seems to work to the back-side with his approach at the plate.

+ OF Colin Watson (Daphne, 2027) is another outfielder for Team Alabama who may not have had much to show for in the box score this week, but the full picture and body of work he's built outweighs the small sample size of a few at-bats this past week. An uber-athletic 5-foot-9, 179-pounder, Watson is a strong, twitchy right-handed bat who can really hit. Showing elite hand quickness and bat speed in the swing, Watson possesses an innate feel for the barrel working it on a mostly level path through contact. Toe-tap trigger for his load and shows the ability to flick and manipulate the barrel some. A big-time in-game performer this past spring to keep close tabs on.

Senior Future Games: Class of 2026

+ OF Clayton Rice (American Christian, 2026) possesses all the tools you're looking for in a future middle-of-the-order outfielder at the next level. A 6-foot, 194-pounder, the rising senior has a pristine, athletic build with present proportional strength showing in all facets of the game. With an impressive build of strength and athleticism, Rice continues to flash some of the best collections of tools in Alabama's uncommitted 2026 class. The left-hander has a simple left-handed operation that produces a short stride for timing and generates plenty of extension out front in the swing. Does a good job of getting on-plane early and shows serious whip and bat speed to the swing. Easy gap-to-gap impact in the profile that produced easy mid-90 EVs in BP. Had multiple hits in-game, highlighted by a back-side triple to LCF. Can play all three outfield spots with his blazing 6.59-speed.

+ OF Cross Tonsmeire (Vestavia Hills, 2026) continues to show as one of the top uncommitted hitters in Alabama's 2026 class. Coming off a big spring competing at the highest classification in Alabama, Tonsmeire wrapped up his summer with a standout showing for Team South. A 6-foot, 202-pound frame with premium strength, Tonsmeire is another high-impact bat who shows serious juice to both gaps in his approach. Has a toe-tap trigger for timing and compresses the baseball at a high-level when squared up, allowing the ball to jump off different at higher exits. Took quality swings in-game, including a deep F9 to the warning track and pull-side single to LF. Also a 6.72-runner. Big tools across the board for Tonsmeire.

Junior Future Games: Class of 2029

+ OF Ross Christy (Fultondale, 2029) easily passes the eye test for a rising freshman and continues to flash the current tools across the board to match it. An impressive 5-foot-10, 167-pound build with loads of compact strength, Christy is uber-athletic with a physical right-handed swing that shows some of the best impact skills in the class. Stays well-balanced with leverage and impact out front in the swing paired with an advanced gap-to-gap approach. Took quality swings in-game after an impressive workout, highlighted by a missle double into the RCF gap for an easy triple. Possesses serious bat speed and hand quickness in a compact right-handed swing. Clocked a 6.67 60-yard dash during the workout. Just an impressive young prospect who should garner serious interest over the next few years.

+ OF/LHP Sam Ridley (Tuscaloosa County, 2029) may have the biggest upside out of any prospect in Alabama's young 2029 class. A strong, projectable 6-foot-1, 193-pounder, Ridley possesses a physical left-handed swing that showcased serious thump and pull-side impact throughout the event. Creates good length and extension out front in the swing, and looks to lift and drive the ball with authority to the pull-side gap with each swing. Massive power projection in the overall profile that is already flashing some already. Also an above-average athlete clocking a 7.29 60-yard dash during the workout. Has two-way intrigue running the fastball into the low-80s on the mound with feel for spin, as well. Another high-level prospect to follow for the next couple years.

+ OF Cole Carroll (Chelsea, 2029) proved to be one of the most consistent performers for Team Southeast in-game, collecting multiple hits on the week and flashing the leather in the outfield, as well. Listed at 5-foot-11, 162-pounds, Carroll has a simple right-handed operation with minimal wasted movements in the swing. The load is short and quick, allowing him to be on-time with each swing. Simple, athletic actions with each pass producing a current line-drive approach with ability to tap into more power as the profile develops. A 7.21-runner in the workout with throws up to 85 mph from the outfield.

UPCOMING EVENTS ⤵️

SHOWCASE DATE LOCATION
Southeast Super Sophomore Games (Invite-Only) August 2nd-3rd, 2025 LakePoint Sports (Emerson, GA)
River Run Fall Games August 17th, 2025 River Run Park (Northport, AL)
Central Alabama Fall ID September 14th, 2025 Opelika High School (Opelika, AL)
North Alabama Fall ID September 28th, 2025 James Clemens High School (Madison, AL)
South Alabama Fall ID October 5th, 2025 Orange Beach Sportsplex (Orange Beach, AL)
Birmingham Fall ID October 26th, 2025 Pelham High School (Pelham, AL)

 

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